Every New Subaru Model Gets Shut Out In The Latest J.D. Power APEAL Study
Even though the 2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Subaru Outback, and 2021 Subaru Crosstrek are flying off dealers' lots this year, no Subaru SUVs won their segment again as most appealing in the new 2021 J.D. Power APEAL study. The APEAL study measures owners' emotional attachment to their new vehicle in the first 90 days. Like the recent J.D. Power Initial Quality Study, Subaru scores well below average.
But in J.D. Power's 2021 U.S. Automotive Brand Loyalty Study, Subaru is number one in brand loyalty among all automakers for the third straight year with a loyalty rate of 61.8%, beating rivals Toyota (61.1%), and Honda (59.3%), and even luxury brand Lexus (51.6%). J.D. Power even says in the APEAL report that vehicles that create joy for their owners generate brand loyalty.
photo credit: Competition Subaru
In the new 2021 APEAL study, Subaru scores well below the segment average of 845 with a score of 835. Subaru scored in the bottom six of all mainstream automakers again in the 2021 study. Only Volkswagen, Jeep, Buick, Mitsubishi, and Chrysler scored lower than Subaru.
No Subaru models won their segment as most appealing in the new study. In the SUV segments, the 2021 Subaru Forester, 2021 Outback, 2021 Crosstrek, and 2021 Ascent SUVs are not creating enough excitement, passion, or wowing owners to make the top vehicles list according to J.D. Power.
photo credit: Competition Subaru
J.D. Power highest ranked brands
Power says Porsche ranks highest among premium brands and ties Dodge overall with a score of 882. Genesis (879) and Land Rover (879) rank second in a tie among premium brands. Dodge ranks highest among mass-market brands and ties Porsche overall with a score of 882. Ram (881) ranks second and Nissan (866) ranks third among mass-market brands.
It seems Subaru is best in keeping customers coming back and is the brand highest in customer retention among all automakers. They have done it by giving customers safe, all-weather capable, fuel-efficient SUVs that are dependable.
The 2021 Subaru Crosstrek is the hottest model for Subaru of America, and it's flying off retailers' lots in 2021. In a recent iSeeCars study, the 2021 Subaru Crosstrek was the fourth fastest-selling vehicle in the U.S. in August. The 2021 Subaru Forester is the seventh fastest-selling vehicle.
photo credit: Competition Subaru - 2022 Outback Wilderness
The 2022 Subaru Forester compact SUV gets a refresh, and a new Forester Wilderness trim. The 2022 Subaru Outback also comes with the new Wilderness off-road equipment. Subaru's new rugged models could change the brand's ranking in next year's Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study.
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Denis Flierl has invested over 30 years in the automotive industry in a consulting role working with every major car brand. He is an accredited member of the Rocky Mountain Automotive Press. Check out Subaru Report where he covers all of the Japanese automaker's models. More stories can be found on the Torque News Subaru page. Follow Denis on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Photo credit: Competition Subaru